Museum of Prisoner of War Camps in Żagań

The Museum of Prisoner of War Camps in Żagań is a military museum located on the grounds of a former German POW camp. It displays wartime artifacts, historical documents, personal belongings, and reconstructed camp facilities that illustrate how prisoners lived during their internment.

The camp was operated by the Germans as Stalag Luft III and primarily held Allied pilots during the Second World War. After the war ended, the grounds were converted into a museum in 1971 to preserve the experiences of those who were imprisoned there.

The name reflects the experiences of those imprisoned here, preserved through photographs, letters, and personal items on display. Visitors encounter uniforms and documents belonging to men from different nations who were held in these camps.

Entry to the museum requires passing through the main building where you can get oriented to the layout. It helps to check opening days before visiting and plan enough time to explore all the exhibits and outdoor reconstructions.

The museum houses a reconstruction of the famous escape tunnel dug during a breakout attempt in 1944. This replica shows the effort and ingenuity that prisoners invested in trying to escape their captors.

Location: Żagań

Inception: 1971

Operator: Muzeum Obozów Jenieckich

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10:00-16:00, 09:00-18:00; Saturday, Sunday 10:00-17:00

Website: http://muzeum.zagan.pl

GPS coordinates: 51.59640,15.29390

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:28